Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Although many attempts have been made to identify ADHD using standardized psychological testing, there is no standard test or set of tests to diagnose ADHD. The diagnosis is a matter of degree and must be made by a mental health professional with experience in this area who has thoroughly assessed your child’s behavior in a variety of situations.

Family and teachers or employers (in the case of teens or adults) must be involved in this process. All the elements of the evaluation are matters of opinion, expectation, and comparison. Furthermore, all the behaviors associated with ADHD are normal, to some degree, in all children at certain stages of development.

It is important to identify other possible causes for the inappropriate behavior. This may include:

The most detailed diagnostic criteria are found in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Because most cases of ADHD are diagnosed in childhood, diagnostic criteria are geared toward children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the following guidelines be used for diagnosis in children 4-18 years old:

Evaluation should be initiated if a child shows signs of:

Inattention

Hyperactivity

Impulsivity

Poor school performance

Behavior problems

During diagnosis, the following information should be gathered directly from parents, caregivers, teachers, or other school professionals:

Assessment of symptoms of ADHD in different settings (home and school)

Age at which symptoms started

The degree to which the behavior affects the child's ability to function

The healthcare professional should examine the child for other conditions that might be causing or aggravating symptoms, such as:

Be present in 2 or more of the child's settings (home, school, activities)

Have started by the time the child is 7 years of age

Make it hard to function at school, at home, and/or in social situations

Interfere with the child's ability to function for at least 6 months

Connors Continuous Performance Testing (CPT), a computerized attention test, is often used to help confirm the diagnosis of ADHD. Examples of standardized behavior checklists that also assist in diagnosing ADHD include:

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.